Augusta-Margaret River and City of Busselton firefighters swoop into action at Serpentine fires

Firefighters across the Capes region have answered the call to help other communities in need, with a contingent joining the fire battle in Serpentine at the weekend and others heading to NSW. A taskforce including a mix of local government and Department of Fire and Emergency Services brigades attended the Serpentine bushfires on Sunday. Brigades including Busselton, Dunsborough, Wallcliffe, Rosa Brook and Witchcliffe and senior personnel were involved in containing and tamping down areas within the fire zone, providing much-needed relief to Perth brigades caught up in the major event believed to be sparked by a lightning strike. Meanwhile, DFES personnel including Wallcliffe Fire Services Brigade’s Jenny Colquhoun were part of a group of three officers and 14 volunteers deployed to NSW. DFES commissioner Darren Klemm told the Times the experience of local brigades was key to the State’s own preparedness. “Emergency services, local governments and other agencies are all working together, using every lever possible to reduce the bushfire risk and prepare our State to keep communities safe,” he said. “Last Saturday, emergency services personnel were dealing with more than 100 fires throughout WA. “It was a timely reminder to all Western Australians about the need to be well prepared this summer.” On social media, volunteers from the Wallcliffe DFES brigade lauded their colleagues who undertook a full training at the weekend despite some also travelling north. “We’ve had two shifts of Wallcliffe crews deployed to assist the Serpentine Complex fires over the last few days,” a brigade spokesperson said. “A South West taskforce including trucks and light tankers from Rosa Brook, Witchcliffe, Dunsborough and Busselton have been working on containing multiple fires in difficult terrain. “These fires were started by lightning strikes and a sobering reminder that bushfires can start anywhere, at any time. “And if it happens at night we are totally dependent on firefighters on the ground as there is no aerial support until first light. “Tasked with back burning and blackout, the crew put in some loooooong days and hard yakka.” Shire of Augusta-Margaret River community emergency services manager Adam Jasper said the local government answered the call from DFES to pitch in. “We sent equipment and personnel to assist with the Serpentine Complex of fires, and these crews are expected home today (November 7),” he said. City of Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin acknowledged local volunteers who went to assist at Serpentine. He said the outlook was a good warning for residents to be prepared, with the City set to start its annual firebreak and fuel hazard reductions on November 15.